October 15, 2018The Fiscal Year 2019 Technology Commercialization Fund (TCF) funding opportunity announcement has been released. TCF leverages research and development funding in the applied energy programs to mature promising energy technologies with high-impact potential. TCF works to expand the commercial impact of the U.S. Department of Energy's portfolio of research, development, demonstration and deployment activities.

​A $20+ million funding opportunity that leverages the R&D funding in the applied energy programs to mature promising energy technologies with the potential for high impact for commercialization with a private industry partner. These funds are matched with funds from private partners to promote promising energy technologies for commercial purposes.

The goal of the TCF is two-fold. First, it is designed to increase the number of energy technologies developed at DOE's national labs that graduate to commercial development and achieve commercial impact (Topic 1 Proposals). Second, the TCF will enhance the Department's technology transitions system with a forward-looking and competitive approach to lab-industry partnerships (Topic 2 Proposals). Industry can participate in either Topic 1 or Topic 2 proposals:

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​Topic 1- Technology Maturation: Eligible projects for Topic 1 must involve currently existing laboratory technology or intellectual property that has reached a TRL of 3, and demonstrates evidence of commercial potential. TRL 3 is evidenced by a technology having demonstrated analytical and experimental proof of concept in a laboratory environment. For example, have experiments or modeling and simulation validated performance prediction of technology capability? Have design techniques been identified or developed? Have scaling studies been initiated? The target funding for Topic 1 is $100K-$150K. The target period of performance for a Topic 1 award is 6-12 months. Gain members can participate in Topic 1 proposals at any level of matching funding or in-kind contributions.

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​Topic 2- Cooperative Development: Eligible
projects for Topic 2 must involve currently existing laboratory technology or
intellectual property, and the laboratory must have a non-Federal partner [GAIN
member] with a commercial application defined for the technology. The
partner(s) must be identified in the application for funding. A formal
partnership agreement does not have to be in place to be eligible for award,
however. If funds are allocated before a CRADA is in place, work may not begin
until it is executed. If no agreement between the laboratory and partner is
executed within 6 months of the award, the Department may cancel the award. A
project or work scope being executed under an existing CRADA or other
partnership agreement is not eligible for an award under the TCF. The target funding for Topic 2 is
$250K-$750K. GAIN Members must provide an equal funding and / or in-kind
contribution. The target period of
performance for Topic 2 is 12-24 months.

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​How to Participate: To participate in TCF, GAIN
members must first identify an existing laboratory technology they are
interested in commercializing (e.g. a lab owned copyright or pending/granted
patent). Generally, the easiest way to find available technologies is to
contact the technology transfer offices of each DOE Laboratory and talking with
the appropriate commercialization manager. GAIN members can also look through
available technologies on the lab websites, Lab Partnering Services to find
potential technologies, however, keep in mind that many newly developed
technologies that are eligible for TCF may not be posted because the patents
applications have not yet published. Below is a helpful list of contacts
and websites to visit:

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​​Key Dates: The call for TCF generally comes out annually in October or November, but has been as late as December. However, to be prepared for TCF, GAIN members are highly encouraged to reach out several months in advance of the call. This allows time for your company to explore technologies available for licensing and properly plan for the call. The call generally only provides a month to prepare a proposal, so it is critical to have already identified a technology prior to the call.